Case study: GE Aerospace on the Power of Representation in STEM
Introduction
GE Aerospace in Prestwick has partnered with Primary Engineer on our ‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ competition for four years.
This case study explores the importance of providing local pupils with inspiring role models, moving beyond the classroom to encourage real-world curiosity.
The power of a role model
For Laura McEwen, MRO Senior Value Engineer at GE Aerospace, the partnership is personal. Like many in the industry, her path was inspired by a role model, her father.
“My pathway was very stereotypical for a female… because my dad was an engineer, he encouraged me to apply for an apprenticeship. If it wasn’t for him, I would never have considered it. But I’m so pleased I did. It has been an amazing career for me and provided a lot of opportunities for me to develop, grow and even travel the world”
However, many pupils lack these direct connections. At Primary Engineer we recognise that “pupils can’t be what they can’t see,” which is why a core part of Primary Engineer’s offerings is furthering the engagement between schools, pupils and our university and industry partners.
GE Aerospace in Prestwick have been able to further enhance their outreach through the Primary Engineer partnership, providing that missing link and opening doors for local pupils from all backgrounds.
“We have engaged across the local area with school visits as well as inviting 6 local schools each year on site for a tour, meeting and engaging with our engineers and getting an introduction to our industry. The teachers and pupils have been brilliant and never fail to inspire us on what they want to solve.”
What began with a father’s encouragement and sparked a career pathway has come full circle. Today Laura is inspiring the next generation of engineers by championing the Primary Engineer partnership in GE Aerospace in Prestwick.
“[Primary Engineer’s] ability to bring schools and industry together, providing the resources and practical programs which allow our volunteers to execute simply but very effectively”
From Ideas to Awards
Once pupils have interviewed an engineer, pupils start looking at the world around them to see if there is a problem they can solve with engineering. They create an annotated drawing of how their idea would work and write a letter to an engineer explaining why their idea should be built. All entries are read and graded by engineering professionals, with every single pupil who takes part receiving a named and graded certificate.
The competition culminates in exciting regional public exhibitions and award ceremonies, where teachers, pupils, their families and industry professionals are invited to celebrate ingenuity and create lasting memories. The shortlisted designs are displayed, and the winners and those who are highly commended are invited on stage to receive their awards, with a surprise award for the judge’s favourite at the end.
For Laura, one of the highlights is the Regional Awards ceremony.
“Seeing the award winners bringing their family along to show them their hard work and what they feel is a problem worth solving. The pride in their families’ faces is just lovely to see.”
It’s more than a competition, it’s a celebration of ingenuity that creates lasting memories for families and professionals alike.
Conclusion
Laura McEwen, MRO Senior Value Engineer, champions the Primary Engineer partnership at GE Aerospace in Prestwick and says it’s all about “a shared, practical commitment to inspiring the next generation—showing young people what an amazing, real-world career in STEM can look like and how they can get there”.
She continues by noting what’s important to them.
“Social value and community outreach matter to us, but what made this partnership essential was alignment on outcomes: opening doors, demystifying STEM pathways, and giving students tangible experiences that build confidence and curiosity.”
Laura rounded off to say “For GE Aerospace in Prestwick, partnering with [Primary Engineer] has been both productive and energizing. The experience is marked by good communication, a truly friendly and passionate team, and a shared commitment to achieving great results together across our local community. Our staff get great satisfaction from getting involved; building our presence in the community and have a sense of giving back.”
Get Involved
Share your experience: Huge thank you to GE Aerospace in Prestwick for sharing these valuable insights. If you have worked with us and want to share your experiences, contact us on marketing@Primaryengineer.com
Learn more: If you want to learn more about how we deliver impactful outreach the Primary Engineer way, speak to us today.